Yamazaki Puncheon 2013 vs Miyagikyo 12 yo
Yes about time for something from somewhere else, and entry level for a change of pace.
Japanese Malts are certainly popular now. People forget they used to have a bargain end to the spectrum, back when it was only about Karuizawa.
Yamazaki Puncheon 2013 48%
Nose: Hmm. Lighter than light. Fruit sherbet, and fresh mown grass. Rather light creaminess too. Not a lot of wood but its there – wet wood. Also citrusy poaching syrup. And an open bag of candy.
Palate: Zingy and bright, and very clean. There’s some creamy, and some cedarwood maybe. Lots of high fruit esters and light white spices. Getting more sour.
Finish: Rather Short. Slightly sweet and citrus sour.
Yamazaki-lite? A puncheon is much bigger than a regular cask, so one expects less wood. Well, this is a decent light and lightly fruity whisky. Incidentally this was the last year of issue.
Miyagikyo 12yo 45% ~2014
Nose: Ha, the illusion of greath depth after the Yamazaki. A distinct earthy side, but still manages to be quite clean. Musty wood rubbed with spilt lamp oil. Also quite some leather and tobacco leaves. New mushrooms. And a sweet jam.
Palate: Exactly as suggested by the nose! Maybe more sweetness and red fruit. But this is all rather good!
Finish: Medium short, leather, damp paper.
Delivers. Not hugely complex, but well ordered, great arrival, and just great at 12years.
Whiskyrific RSS
- Glen Grant 27 yo 1955 / 1982 Samaroli 43% vs Glenury Royal 24 yo 1966 / 1990 Cadenhead 53.8%
- Lochside 22 yo 1979 / 2001 Douglas Laing Old Malt Cask 276 bttls 50% vs Lochside 32 yo 1982 / 2014 Malts of Scotland #14019 55.2% vs Lochside 29 yo 1981 / 2010 Thosop 50.5%
- St Magdalene 25 yo 1964 / 1989 Cadenhead 44.2% vs St Magdalene 23 yo 1970 Rare Malts 58.43%
- Caol Ila 15 yo Sestante for Novecento 64.7% vs Caol Ila 15 yo Sestante 65.3%
- Glen Garioch 25 yo 1990 / 2017 LMdW ‘Artist #7’ Cask #2694 52.3% vs Glen Garioch 1968 29 yo 1968 #625 57.2%
- Clynelish 90 yo 1972 / 2002 Scotch Malt Sales 58% vs Clynelish 23 yo 1974 / 1998 Rare Malts 59.1%
- Scapa 12 yo 40% ~2000 vs Scapa 8 yo Gordon & Macphail 57% ~ late 80s
- Bruichladdich 21 yo 1992 / 2014 Duncan Taylor #3987 49.7% vs Bruichladdich 22 yo 1991 / 2014 Gleann Mor #2270 55.9%
- Rosebank 26 yo 1967 / 1994 Signatory #4397 51.7% vs Rosebank 25 yo 1967 / 1993 Signatory #4393-4394 54.4%
- Macduff 40 yo 1968 / 2008 Duncan Taylor #8547 45.5% vs Deanston 23 yo 1967 / 1991 Signatory #1785 55.4%
